It is the first time Blaschka Glass has been on show in Torfaen – an example of the museum providing an opportunity for local people to see an extremely rare collection.

The exhibition entitled ‘above and below the waves’, runs until October 24, and is called Above and Below the Waves. It includes artworks of Pontypool artist, Vernon Jones.

It was officially opened by John Griffiths AM, the Minister for Culture and Sport, on Thursday July 17.

“It is a privilege to launch ‘above and below the waves’ at Pontypool Museum and to meet the volunteers and staff working so hard to make the museum even better,” said Mr Griffiths.

Blaschka Glass was created by a father and son team, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, glass artists originating from Bohemia.

The glass is spun using a technique that was unique to the Blaschka family. Only 250 Blaschka Glass items remain in the world, with 15 of them currently items on display at Pontypool Museum.

“This collection of Blaschka Glass models is very special because they brought in 3D the wonders of marine life to museum visitors over one hundred years ago,” added Julian Carter, principal conservator of natural science at Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales.

The exhibition has been made possible thanks to funding from the Sharing Treasures scheme run by National Museum Wales.

This scheme supports the loan of national collections across Wales and is funded by the Welsh Government and Heritage Lottery Fund.

Pontypool Museum is currently trying to attract 1,000 new members to make up for a £19,000 cash shortfall in its budget after losing council funding to prevent it from closure.

Membership fees are £15 per year or £20 for a family. Business, institution or club fees cost £60. Membership benefits include free entry to all exhibitions, ten per cent off selected items in the museum shop, exclusive invitations to special events and exhibitions, newsletters featuring upcoming attractions and trust news, and voting rights at the trust AGM.

Corporate members receive promotion in newsletters, on social media and on the website.

For details more information Call 01495 752036 or send an email to pont

Comments

HMNHPR
4:04pm Wed 6 Aug 14

I don't know the total number of Blaschka pieces in the world, but it is FAR more than 250. Here at Harvard we display some 3,200 of a total of 4,200 in the Collection of the Blaschkas' famed Glass Flowers, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History has recently opened a new exhibition displaying 61 glass models of marine invertebrates..from their collection of 430. And many other museums have collections as well.

I don't know the total number of Blaschka pieces in the world, but it is FAR more than 250. Here at Harvard we display some 3,200 of a total of 4,200 in the Collection of the Blaschkas' famed Glass Flowers, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History has recently opened a new exhibition displaying 61 glass models of marine invertebrates..from their collection of 430. And many other museums have collections as well.HMNHPR

I don't know the total number of Blaschka pieces in the world, but it is FAR more than 250. Here at Harvard we display some 3,200 of a total of 4,200 in the Collection of the Blaschkas' famed Glass Flowers, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History has recently opened a new exhibition displaying 61 glass models of marine invertebrates..from their collection of 430. And many other museums have collections as well.

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